CREATOR Chronicle February 2020

“As a congregation named for our Creator, we are children of the Living God, beloved brothers and sisters of our Lord Jesus Christ, selflessly living out our

faith in worship, fellowship, giving, education and outreach.”

______________________________________________________________________________________ Rev. Robert M. Blanton, Priest-In-Charge * office hours: Monday—Thursday, 9:00 a.m.. — 12:00 p.m.

Please call the church office, 601-924-2261, to schedule an appointment.

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Dear Friends: Here are some reflections on the meaning of the coming season of Lent by Cynthia Bourgeault and Richard Rohr: Lent: Awake and Paying Attention “’Remember, O man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return.’ [As this newsletter appears in your inbox, we are barreling toward Ash Wednesday, which this year, February 25th, 10 days after Valentine’s Day.] “Does it strike you that there’s something deliciously ironic here: that in this of all years, the feast of love and the solemnity of self-examination and repentance come so closely intertwined? “I have to admit that I’ve always loved the Ash Wednesday liturgy. Antiquated, gender-challenged though its language may be, it inevitably and forcibly calls me back, as the ash is smeared on my forehead, to the palpable remembrance that we belong to earth: we are formed of her and will all too swiftly return to her. In a religion that seems to spend so much of its time getting out of the body, this fleeting remembrance of our universal habitat in the biosphere has always struck me as grounding, honest, and strangely comforting. “This year, the planet has clearly beat us to Lent. There’s no evading karma; our cumulative centuries of human greed and entitlement have finally elicited a response, a wrenching NO from the heart of Mother Nature herself. Climate cycles grow steadily more violent and volatile–the last months of 2017 and the beginning of 2018 were marked by an unremitting series of natural catastrophes. Hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, torrential rain are no longer confined to remote corners of our planet, but press hard against our own all too safe and privileged backyards.

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“In Southern California—where my daughter and her family reside and where I regularly teach at La Casa de Maria in Montecito—Advent began with ashes, as wildfires burned out of control and thousands were evacuated or lost their homes. La Casa de Maria squeaked through the fires only to succumb to the horrific mudslides a month later which swept through the property with volcanic force, wrenching away buildings and devastating grounds gently manicured over the years to be a ‘safe’ and ‘welcoming’ space for spiritual work. “There was a stunning incongruity to the whole scene. It was a little eerie to notice how the very baroque and anguishing crucifix in the Chapel—which in recent years has been deemed by some to be a little too harsh for the more genteel, inter-spiritual tone now being set by the retreat center—finally came at last into its own. The crucifix presided over a river of mud and destruction with the graphic reminder that spiritual work—particularly contemplative spiritual work—is never either completely ‘welcoming’ or ‘safe.’ Welcome to our brave, new world. “For many decades now, as the contemplative renewal has gathered steam and developed its own interpretive lens on the world, contemplation itself has often been presented as something ‘safe’ and ‘welcoming’—an invitation to sequester ourselves in beautifully gated monastic compounds perched on fabulous hunks of real estate to sit on our prayer cushions, keep silence, and attend to the serenity of the inner kingdom. “The gnawing intuition in the pit of my stomach keeps telling me that this is all about to be swept away before our eyes. Actually, it is being swept away even as we speak—in the great mudslide of divine grace and evolutionary imperative which will pitilessly remove the gated communities of ‘our little closed loves’ (as Teilhard de Chardin calls them) to prepare for the advent of something infinitely stronger, more collective, more flowing, for which every sinew of our contemplative nerve is being prepared. Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday: Great love and deep remorse of conscience, indissolubly joined in the human heart. This year, more than ever, may Lent find us awake and paying attention. The Importance of Good Theology Fr. Richard Rohr writes: “Brothers and sisters, I believe that behind every mistaken understanding of reality there is always a mistaken understanding of God. If you draw close to someone who is in a violent or fearful state, you will likely discover that his or her [personal] image of God (usually largely unconscious) is inadequate, distorted, or even toxic. That’s why good theology is still important.

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“I believe the ultimate purpose of theology is to clarify the central, foundational doctrine of the nature of the One at the center of it all, which many of us call ‘God.’ For Christians, this became ‘Trinity,’ a word not even found in the Bible. Yet it has emerged in the deepest levels of orthodox theology as the best way to describe the ‘shape’ of God, and therefore, finally a study of the very shape and pattern of everything else created in this divine image (Genesis 1:26-27). ... I think [this image] has tremendous practical, pastoral, and political implications. ([For more on this, see Rohr’s] book The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation.) “Only God in you can know God, so I hope you surround your reading with plenty of silence. You cannot know God in an intimate, experiential way with your mind alone. You are going to need full access knowing, which many of us call the contemplative mind, or even the ‘mind of Christ’ (1 Corinthians 2:16). “I slowly uncovered over many years the material on the Trinity ... There were special moments of breakthrough ... One of these was several years ago, as I was coming to the end of a wonderful extended time in a hermitage during Lent. In the last days, I stumbled upon Catherine LaCugna’s extraordinary book on the Trinity, God for Us, in the retreat center’s library. It was a big book and looked rather formidable and academic. I wondered if I would be capable of understanding it. Even though I had decided not to read during my hermitage, I had a great urge to read it instead of re-reading my journals from the previous weeks. “As I began to read, I had the experience that I’m hoping you might have: I found myself saying, ‘Yes, yes! This is it! This sums up everything that I think I’ve experienced.’ To barely touch upon the mystery that is Trinity, let me begin by offering you this simple prayer. [Which you might consider as a topic for reflection during this Lent.]”

God for us, we call you “Father.” God alongside us, we call you “Jesus.” God within us, we call you “Holy Spirit.” Together, you are the Eternal Mystery That enables, enfolds, and enlivens all things, Even us and even me. Every name falls short of your goodness and greatness. We can only see who you are in what is. We ask for such perfect seeing— As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen.

References: Richard Rohr with Mike Morrell, The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation (Whitaker House: 2016), 117. Love and blessings, Pastor Bob

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FOOD PANTRY SUNDAY (3rd Sunday each month)

When you are grocery shopping, please remember to pick up some extra, non-perishable food goods and bring them to church the next time you come. We will be continuing this outreach ministry each month on the third Sunday each month, so mark the dates on your calendar.

Healing Service and Prime Timers

Wednesday, February 5 12:00 - Healing Service 12:30 - Prime Timers’ Pot Luck Lunch

Monthly Church Work Day Saturday, February 15 (8-12 am)

There is a lot going on and we could really use some extra hands!

Pack & Troop #345 We will be celebrating the birthday of Scouting on February 2 (February 8 is the anniversary of the founding of Scouting in America). Pack and Troup 345 will be participating in the 10:30 service by ushering, greeting, and reading. Cubmaster: Mike Milone Committee: John Lanford - Chairman, Edie Hill, John Fox

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Pack 345—January Pack Meeting

Lauren Wilson was our special guest at our January Pack Meeting. Lauren brought an assortment of animal pelts and sculls along with her personal pets:: Her Ball Python and Hedgehog. Lauren taught us all about omnivores, herbivores, and carnivores. I think the hit of the night was Mr. Potato, the Hedgehog! Many thanks to Lauren for taking time to come visit us.

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Pack 345 Cubmaster: Mike Milone Pack Committee: John Lanford, Chairman, Edie Hill, John Fox

September 16 Pack Committee Meeting, 11:30 am 20 New Parent Orientation, 6:30 pm 27 Pack Meeting, 6:00 pm October 12-14 Akela Cub Weekend 19-21 Akela Cub Weekend 27 Brighton Park, 2:00 pm, Water Rockets November 9 Church Campout 21 Pack Meeting, 6:00 pm, Flag Retirement December 1 Pack Committee Meeting, 11:30 am 7 No Pack Meeting , Winter Pack Outing

January 30 Pack Meeting, 6:00 pm 31-Feb 2 Cub Scout Polar Weekend

February 2 Scout Sunday (@ church @ 10:00 am) 27 Pack Meeting, 6:00 pm (Pinewood Derby) Camp Card Sales Begin

March TBD District Pinewood Derby 26 Pack Meeting, 6:00 pm April 17-19 Cuboree Weekend 23 Pack Meeting, 6:00 pm Camp Card Sales End (money due) May 3 Pack Committee Meeting, 11:30 am 14 Year-end Parent & Den Leader Meeting, 6:00 pm 28 Blue & Gold Banquet, 6:00 pm Graduation June 6-8 Cub / Webelos Summer Camp 15-19 District Day Camp TBD Pack Summer Outing

Pack 345 Calendar - 2019 - 2020

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Vestry Minutes continued on next page

Present: Pastor Bob Blanton, Priest-in-Charge, Rhea Estes, Senior Warden, Ross Turner, Isabel Mills, Jennifer Duncan, Tommy Mills, Treasurer, Dianne Martin, Clerk of the Vestry Absent: Visitor:

Vestry Digest January 20, 2020

Treasurer Report

Tommy noted that Beth made additional entries into the financial software system after Tommy had already created the Treasurer Report, resulting in a discrepancy between the “revenues less expenditures net balance” shown in the spreadsheet / graph and that shown in the Monthly Analysis of Revenues & Expenses report.

The Monthly Analysis report shows the correct net which is that we received $1,661.35 more in revenues that we made in expenditures in December.

Also, the Treasurer Report does not yet show a zero balance in the restricted Choir Fund (account 8135.00) but that should be reflected in next month’s report.

Junior Warden Report

Next scheduled workday is the third Saturday in February (02/15/2020). We have a leak over the freezer in the kitchen. We need to clean out gutters on the

rear of the building and clear out the valleys on the roof line to help in finding out the source of the leak.

We will have a bulletin board in the kitchen for people to write down what needs to be

done or to volunteer to do a needed task. For problems that need immediate attention, Beth or Rhea should be called.

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Vestry Minutes continued

Minutes of vestry meetings may be found on the bulletin board outside the administrator’s office following their approval and correction if needed. If you would like a copy, please call the office and a copy will be provided to you via email.

Old Business Rhea will contact Brian Ponder, Cannon for Administration and Finance, to let him know that we want to do something for the diocese whether it is by fund raiser or some other means.

New Business Building Keys:

For insurance and security purposes, we need to change out locks on the external doors of the education building and those external doors in the parish hall building that can be opened from within by a bar.

The education building doors will need to be keyed differently from those in the other buildings. We will also need to implement a procedure for keeping up with who holds which keys. Safe Harbor desires to help us with cost for this upgrade.

Rhea will get quotes. Mardi Gras Fundraiser:

Sugar Magnolia will provide red beans, rice and French bread for our Fat Tuesday fund raiser.

We will provide coleslaw, desserts and drinks. Rhea will continue in discussion with Sugar Magnolia concerning king cakes. John will be in charge of the music. Edie and someone from Safe Harbor will be in charge of children’s activities. Janie Fields and John will provide some of the decorations.

Lent: We are planning to have a Wednesday Lenten study led by Bob and Ann Michele and will need to have volunteers to bring soup and bread.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:14.

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February, 2020

The Episcopal Church of the Creator

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 5 pm: AA / Al-Anon Meeting

2 8:00 am: Mass 10:30 am: Mass 6:00 pm: Safe Harbor

Scout Sunday

3 7:30 pm: DOA—Big Book Group

4 12:00 pm: AA Meeting

5 12:00 am: Healing Service 12:30 pm: Prime Timers 6:00 pm: Cub Scouts 7:00 pm: Adult Choir 7:00 pm: Men’s AA Group

6 12:00 pm: AA Meeting 6:00 pm: Cub Scouts

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Annual Council

7-9

8 5 pm: AA / Al-Anon Meeting

Annual Council

7-9

9 8:00 am: Morning Prayer 10:30 am: Morning Prayer 6:00 pm: Safe Harbor

Annual Council

7-9

10 7:30 pm: DOA—Big Book Group

11 12:00 pm: AA Meeting

12 7:00 pm: Adult Choir 7:00 pm: Men’s AA Group

13 12:00 pm: AA Meeting

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Valentine’s Day

15 5 pm: AA / Al-Anon Meeting

Church Work Day

8am-12pm

16 8:00 am: Mass 10:30 am: Mass 6:00 pm: Safe Harbor FOOD PANTRY for the 4 C’s

17 6:30 pm: Vestry 7:30 pm: DOA—Big Book Group

18 12:00 pm: AA Meeting

19 7:00 pm: Adult Choir 7:00 pm: Men’s AA Group

20 12:00 pm: AA Meeting

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22 5 pm: AA / Al-Anon Meeting

23 8:00 am: Mass 10:30 am: Mass 6:00 pm: Safe Harbor

24 7:30 pm: DOA—Big Book Group

25 12:00 pm: AA Meeting Mardi Gras

Dinner 5pm—7pm

26 6:00 pm: Cub Scouts 7:00 pm: Adult Choir 7:00 pm: Men’s AA Group

Lent Begins! Ash Wednesday

Noon & 6:30 pm

27 12:00 pm: AA Meeting

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Parish Hall Rental

5pm—7 pm

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February Servers

Birthdays 4 Isabel Mills 5 Rhea Estes 6 Landon Daniel 10 Marty Singletary 15 John Lanford 18 Kevin White 24 Wendy Brantley

25 Mitchell Singletary

Anniversaries 4 Austine & Emmanuela Onyia

Birthdays & Anniversaries

2 Scout Sunday

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26 Ash Wednesday

6:30pm Chalice Bob White N/A Mike Milone Bob White Wendy Brantley

Ruby Lanford N/A Maddie Gray Braley Tori Meyers Bob White

Lectors Scout Leaders Pennie Van Brocklin John Lanford Joan Blanton Ross Turner

Scout Leaders Deborah Runyan Ruby Lanford Wendy Brantley Deborah Runyan

Prayers Deborah R Janie Fields Wendy Brantley Ross Turner Pennie Van Brocklin

Acolytes Max Lanford Landon Daniel Rowan Braley Maddie Gray Braley Landon Daniel

Ushers Vicky Donaho Dorie Walsh Beth Braley Austine Onyia Need Help

Cub Scouts Tim Walsh Need Help

Altar Joyce White N/A Ross Turner Rhea Estes Larry Estes

Home Communion

Edie Hill

Vestry Person of the Day

Ross Turner Jennifer Duncan John Lanford Rhea Estes Rhea Estes

Kate Onyia Manny Diaz-Olarra Ruby Lanford Kate Onyia Manny Diaz-Olarra

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Episcopal Church of the Creator Church Office Hours:

9:00 am—2 pm, Monday—Thursday

Presiding Bishop The Most Reverend Michael Curry

Bishop

The Very Reverend Brian Seage

Priest-In-Charge The Reverend Robert M. Blanton

Administrator Beth Braley

theepiscopalchurchofthecreator@gmail.com

Choir Director Vacant

Senior Warden

Rhea Estes, 601-813-3863

Junior Warden Vacant

Treasurer

Tommy Mills, 601-259-5333

Vestry Ross Turner, 601-214-2484 John Lanford, 601-708-4374 Dianne Martin, 601-906-5086 Isabel Mills, 601-954-3769

Jennifer Duncan, 601-850-6353

Contacts Church Office Administrator—Beth Braley, 601-924-2261 Email: theepiscopalchurchofthecreator@gmail.com Pastoral Emergencies Rev. Robert M. Blanton, Cell: 601-291-0652 Polly Marshall, Cell: 601-953-2980 Acolytes Mike Milone, Cell: 601-473-6305 Adult Christian Education Rev. Robert M. Blanton, Cell: 601-291-0652 Altar Guild Larry & Rhea Estes, Cell: 601-813-3859 Choir Vacant Children’s Christian Education John Lanford, Cell: 601-966-3441 Columbarium Wendy Brantley, Cell: 601-954-3946 Flower Guild Becky Wright, Cell: 601-940-4861 Funeral Guild Vacant Parish Lunches & Special Events Andrew Wilder, 601-842-0058 Doug George, 601-502-5063 Cubmaster Mike Milone, Cell: 601-473-6305 Wedding Coordinator Vacant

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We are part of the Worldwide Anglican Communion and in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury.

“We are a congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi: One church in mission, inviting, transforming, and reconciling. We seek to serve Christ in all

persons and to respect the dignity of every human being.”

Episcopal Church of the Creator

1445 Clinton-Raymond Rd.

Clinton, MS 39056